The Proposal (Forever Bound Book 2)

by Bree Callahan

  She grabbed his hand and pulled it from her neck. His eyes softened. “Is it love?” he asked.

  There was a time when she was in California, she would say that without a doubt it was love, but she wasn’t at that place. At least not yet. “I don’t know,” she answered with honest intentions. “I care about both of you, and I’ll admit that I’m confused. You were there for me when I needed someone, and I can’t forget that, but I also can’t walk away from Derek, when it could very well be him that I need in my life.”

  “There…that’s your answer.”

  She frowned. “What’s my answer?”

  “You just admitted that you’re confused. You can’t fully commit to being in love with him, so you need to survey all your options.”

  Her phone started ringing, and she groaned at its bad timing. Damian seemed irritated when she reached into her pocket and looked at the phone. Tiffany’s number flashed across the screen. She shot him an apologetic look, then got up from the couch. She answered the phone as she reached the hallway and headed to his bathroom. “Hello?”

  “Hey, Sis.”

  “Hey!” Charity eagerly answered, but she felt the nervousness in her own words and Tiffany quickly pointed it out.

  “Is everything alright?” Tiffany asked.

  Charity looked in the mirror and saw a tear creeping down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away and looked away from the mirror. “Everything’s perfect. What’s up?”

  Tiffany didn’t bring up any more questions about whether Charity was doing okay, she brought up why she was calling. “My last final is on Tuesday, then I’ll plan on coming to Buxton. Does that work for you?”

  Charity had to admit she forgot that Tiffany was planning a trip for a couple weeks, but it was exactly what she needed. “I will make it work. I start my new job on Monday, but I should still be able to make time for you in the evening. You’re staying at the apartment, right?”

  “Yep. Text me your new address.”

  “I will.” Charity paused, then got a little mushy before hanging up the call. “I love you, Sis. I can’t wait to see you and hear all about your classes.”

  “I love you, too. I’m looking forward to hearing about everything going on in your life. My flight arrives on Wednesday. I’ll text you the information if you could please pick me up.”

  “Great! Get me the information and I’ll be sure to be there. See you then!” Charity hung up the phone and turned back around to look at her reflection and make sure she made herself presentable. Before leaving, she did her own version of a breathing exercise. She had come to Damian’s house knowing exactly what she wanted to tell him, but none of that seemed right for the moment. Part of her wondered if maybe he had valid points, but then she would think about Derek and question everything again. She left the bathroom and went back to the living room.

  He looked up and smiled. “I hope everything’s alright.”

  “My sister is coming into town next week.”

  He stood up from the couch and moved over to her. “Awesome! I’m sure you’ll be glad to see her.”

  She nodded. “Of course.” Damian brushed the hair back from her eyes and she sighed. “This conversation isn’t over.”

  He nodded. “Just think about it, Charity. What I’m feeling for you won’t change if you take the time to consider it. I love you.”

  “Please stop saying that!” she breathlessly stated. Each time Damian told her he loved her, she found herself struggling for air a little bit more.

  “Will you consider it? Or, do I need to give up this dream?” His words were so soft, and she felt herself caving.

  “I’ll consider it, but I can’t make any promises.”

  He smiled. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.” He looked down at her as his lips came closer to hers. Her mind kept telling her it was only one small kiss. They’d kissed numerous times before, and one teeny tiny kiss wouldn’t make a difference. When his lips touched hers, and it remained sensual and not forced, just sweet, she didn’t stop him. Her arms went up, and she cupped his elbow into her palms, and they just stood there and kissed one another. It wasn’t even like a goodbye kiss. It was more like a looking forward to what’s next kind of kiss. When she pulled away, it was because she needed to break for air.

  “I better go,” she softly stated.

  He held her in place and softly brushed a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll call you later!”

  She nodded slowly, instead of begging him to just move on. She turned away from him and walked to the front door. She barely made it to her car, before she collapsed in the front seat and felt herself trembling. Why does it have to be so hard? Her thoughts played around in her mind, and she started the car. She needed to get as far away from him as she possibly could.

  ****

  Derek read over the email again from Amanda. He couldn’t believe she was putting a time limit on him. He also couldn’t believe she used the weekend to send him the harsh email. Alright, it wasn’t harsh, just stated some obvious concerns, but It was his job to worry if he had an assistant and he was doing just fine without one. Even if he preferred Charity to be there. He scanned through the email again and read the last line. “I’ll give you a week. If you haven’t talked Charity back into resuming her position, then I’ll have no choice but to go against your wishes.”

  He groaned. This was ridiculous. He reached for his phone and pulled up Charity’s number. He’d call her, but he wasn’t holding his breath. Despite how things have changed in their relationship, she was most likely still going to stand her ground. She answered the call before it went to voicemail. “Hello?”

  “Hey, Charity…how’s it going?” He decided to first start off as the typical boyfriend, or even just friend would do.

  There was a slight hesitancy on the other end, and he wondered if something had changed. He opened his mouth to move on when she responded to him. “I’m doing well. How are you?”

  The way she responded was more stiff and rigid. It definitely wasn’t the response a woman would give someone they liked. They would usually discuss how great they were and maybe even talk about a few things that made them great, sprinkling in how excited they were to be starting this new relationship. Yet, he didn’t get any of that. She simply replied as someone would when they asked an acquaintance how they were doing. “Um…I’m doing great.” He sighed before continuing. “I wanted to hear your voice.” Again, the awkward silence ensued. He really needed to get to the bottom of why she seemed so distant from him. “Is everything alright? You just seem so…quiet, I guess that’s the word I’d use.”

  She immediately came to her defense. “I’m fine. I guess I’m just thinking about the job I start tomorrow. You know first hand how awkward I am when I begin something new.” She laughed nervously, and he still questioned whether that was an honest response.

  “I don’t know. You seemed pretty comfortable when you started at my office.”

  There was another long and agonizing pause before she said her response. “I wasn’t really that comfortable, but wanted to put on a good front around you.”

  He snickered. “You certainly did.” He then decided that was the opportune time to bring up the reason he was calling before their conversation was taken to a different area. “Actually, that’s the real reason I’m calling today.”

  “Oh?” she asked.

  “Yes. I was hoping that maybe you would reconsider coming back to work with me.” When she didn’t instantly respond with a resounding, yes, he proceeded. “Working at the office hasn’t been the same since you left and now that you and I are getting…um…closer, I thought that this would be the perfect time to get you back into the chair that should always be yours.”

  “Derek…I…I don’t know,” she stammered.

  “I completely understand that you would be dragging your feet. You don’t want to rush into anything, and I get that, but unfortunately I don’t think Amanda will hold out much longer.”

 
; “What do you mean?” she asked quietly.

  He explained how he got the email from her and she in no uncertain terms mentioned that he only had a week to get Charity to come back. If he failed, then she was exercising her right to put out an ad for the job. “I’m afraid she’ll get me someone that is fresh out of high school and more interested in talking about boy bands than working.”

  Charity laughed on the other end of the phone. He enjoyed her laugh and allowed her to ride it out. When her laugh slowly came to a halt, she gave him an answer, but it wasn’t what he wanted. “I’m sorry, Derek. I don’t want to put you in this position, but I owe it to the daycare to see if it will work out. I hope you understand.”

  Derek did understand, and he couldn’t blame her for choosing the daycare over him, but he was disappointed. “Will you consider it?” he asked.

  “That I will do,” she conceded. “I enjoyed my time working with you, and you don’t know what lies ahead, but I do know that tomorrow I start this new job, and I’m excited, but also extremely nervous.”

  “I’d be lying if I said that I hope it’s everything you could possibly want.” He chuckled lightly. “I know that’s really not very nice, but I do want you to come back and work with me. I know that’s selfish, and I’m sorry, but I have, to be honest about that.”

  “I wouldn’t expect it any other way,” she replied. He could sense the smile on her lips. “I’ll call you later, Derek.”

  “Alright.” He hesitated before finishing the call with the three words he felt in his heart. “I love you!”

  He didn’t think she would respond back with the same because she wasn’t there, but he liked her response. “I know you do, Derek and I care about you. Maybe one day I will get to that point…I hope one day I’ll get to that point.”

  He smiled. It was a step in the right direction. “Goodbye, Charity.”

  “Goodbye!”

  He disconnected the call and turned back to his computer screen, where he put in his response to Amanda.

  Amanda

  I know you’re thinking about what’s right for the office, and I appreciate that. I’ve reached out to Charity again, and I expect a reply soon. Don’t do anything until you hear from me. It will all work out.

  Sincerely,

  Derek Worthington

  He sent the email through and nodded his approval. It would all work out. He was certain of it.

  ****

  Charity slipped her phone into her pocket and stared ahead. Derek made things all that more difficult. She couldn’t stop thinking about Damian and the way things ended or didn’t end, the night before. Now, she was thrust back into a life where Derek was the one for her. Yet, she didn’t understand why things were suddenly so complicated.

  She closed her eyes but was immediately interrupted from her silent meditation when she heard a key enter her front door. Her eyes snapped open, and she stared at the door. It opened, and Ana walked in. She was caring a gorgeous bouquet of roses in her one hand. Charity’s eyes widened. “Beautiful roses…Jesse did well.”

  Ana’s eyes went to her. “They aren’t from Jesse. Your name is on the card.” Charity jumped up from the couch and went to Ana to help her with the flowers. A florist was just about to knock when I came up the steps. I signed for them, but the card clearly states your name.”

  Charity looked at the card. She didn’t recognize the writing, but she instantly thought about Derek. They had to be from him. She walked over to the kitchen table and placed them down. Ana followed her and leaned over her shoulder as she started to open the card. She stared at her. “Do you mind?”

  Ana backed off, giving her a strange look. “I’m interested…shoot me. I’ll go to my bedroom so you can have some space.”

  Charity waited for Ana to leave the room before she opened up the envelope. Inside was a card, and a poem was written on it, with the same handwriting.

  Since the first day I saw you, I knew that you’d take me to a place,

  You’d be that word that filled up my blank space,

  You’d be the speed that moved me forward at a quick pace,

  and of course, the person that would make my heart race.

  I love you, Charity. Don’t lose sight of that.

  Love, Damian

  She felt herself flush as she reread his poem. “Dammit!” she mumbled. She grabbed the roses and card and carried them into her room. She couldn’t think when Damian did something like that. She pulled the roses from their vase and started to drop them into the wastebasket, then the voice in her head told her she needed to rethink her decision. She put them back into the vase and flung herself onto her bed. She closed her eyes and pictured a life with both Derek and Damian. She had no doubt that both men could love her unconditionally, but she couldn’t find where her heart truly headed.

  There was a knock on her bedroom door, and she opened her eyes to find Ana. Ana slowly moved in. Her eyes shot to the roses and the card that laid next to them. “Do you mind…” she started.

  Charity pointed to the flowers and uttered, “Be my guest!”

  Ana excitedly opened up the card and read it over. Her eyes brightened, and she let out a heavy sigh. “Wow!” She put the card down and joined Charity on her bed. “He really loves you,” Ana slowly exclaimed. Charity nodded slightly. “Then why do you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. You have a guy that would express his love in words…” she smiled, “heartfelt words, at that.”

  Charity bit her lower lip. She couldn’t tell Ana, not when she told Derek to keep it a secret from Jesse, but she needed someone to talk to. “I guess I’m conflicted,” Charity commented. She then pulled herself up on her bed and gawked at Ana. “I thought you would tell me to dump him and give Derek another chance. Isn’t that what you and Jesse have been pushing for?”

  Ana smiled. “We want you happy and if Damian makes you happy, then maybe we were wrong. Maybe Derek isn’t the guy for you.” Charity wanted to laugh and tell Ana how she wishes for once they were all on the same page, but she bit her tongue. “Do you love him, too?” Ana asked.

  Charity shook her head, then stopped herself. “I don’t know. I guess this might change things, but how can I be sure?”

  Ana reached out and touched Charity’s hand. “You just know! If he’s the only person you think about, then it’s clear that he’s the one. If you find yourself with doubts, then you do have some thinking to do.” She paused and a smile brightened her face. “In the end, Jesse has always been the only one for me. I felt it here…” she touched her heart and still kept the bright smile on her face. “You’ll get there someday.”

  “I hope so,” Charity whispered.

  Ana’s phone started ringing, and Ana held it up. “Speaking of…” She stood up from the bed. “Think about it, Charity. Don’t make any hasty decisions.”

  “I won’t,” Charity replied. She watched Ana leave her bedroom as she answered Jesse’s phone call. Charity grabbed her phone out of her pocket and pulled up Damian’s number. She considered not texting him, but she wanted him to know that she received the flowers. She quickly typed in a message.

  Charity: Thanks for the flowers and poem!

  That was all she wrote, then put her phone down on her nightstand. Even when a text came back in, she didn’t look at her phone. She wanted to thank him, but that didn’t change how she felt. She had to give this ample thought. Ana was right, and she couldn’t make any hasty decisions.

  Chapter 13

  Charity was up for hours before she had to be to her new job. She couldn’t sleep, and she kept thinking about Derek’s plea for her to come back to work with him. She wanted to give the job her divided attention, and she worried she wouldn’t be able to. She dressed in business casual attired and got ready for her job.

  When she got to the building, there were already several cars in the parking lot. She parked far enough out that she hoped it would be suitable for employees. She made her way to the front door, where a boy of
about eight or nine held the door open for her. “Thank you, Sir,” she replied with a smile.

  “You’re welcome, Ma’am.”

  She smiled at his mischevious grin, but kind-spirited nature. She approached the front desk to where she found the same woman she saw when she first went for an interview. This time, the woman didn’t seem as upset for the interruption, probably because it was just before eight o’clock and she was just starting her day. “Hello, let me guess…you’re the new girl starting today?” She smiled, and Charity nodded.

  “Do you remember where Evelyn’s office is?” The woman asked.

  “I think so?” Charity replied, hoping to keep her nerves in check.

  “Great! She’ll be waiting for you. Good luck!”

  “Thank you!” Charity bypassed the desk and went to the hallway that she recalled leading to Evelyn Winston’s office. The door was closed when she got there. She hesitated before knocking. She hoped she wasn’t interrupting anything. “Come in!” Evelyn hollered.

  Charity opened up the door and proceeded to the office. Evelyn looked up and smiled. “I was told I could come see you.”

  “Of course.” Evelyn stood up and shook Charity’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.” Evelyn put down some papers she was holding and moved around her desk. “I’ll show you your office and where you may put your things.”

  Charity didn’t expect to get an office. She was excited about getting to know everyone and learning more about the job. She followed Evelyn down the hallway and Evelyn entered a room, to which Charity followed. There were two desks in a room that barely housed two desks, but Charity didn’t want to seem anything less than grateful.

  “You can place your things at this desk.” She pointed to the desk on the left. “That desk…” she started, pointing to the one on the right, “belongs to Miriam Street. She should be in at any moment. She tends to run late most of the time.” Charity was shocked to find Evelyn talking negatively about her employees in front of another employee, but she then again pushed the thought out of her mind. Miriam got there before they even left the office.